Weeder.



G. P. BILLAU.

WEEDER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 20, 1909.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. IBILLAU, OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

WEEDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. BILLAU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cedar Ra ids, in the county of Linn and State of owa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Weeders, of which the following is a specification.-

The object of this invention is to produce a simple implement for the easy and speedy removal of noxious weeds, such as dandelions, from lawns.

The nature of the invention will fully appear in the description and claims followmg, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification.

Fi re 1 is a front view of a weeder embodylng the invention with a long handle and foot brackets. Fig. 2 is a side view of a short hand tool containing the same general features. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of the same without the handle. Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary section showing a modification of the construction of the lower end of the tool.

In the care of a lawn one of the most difiicult things is to keep it clear of objectionable weeds and of these one of the most persistent and diflicult to eradicate is the'common dandelion. A eat many implements have been devised or the urpose of removing this est, but the en s sought to be obtained in t is invention are simplicity in construction, ease of operation and the complete removal of the weed and its root with very slight disturbance of the soil.

Referring now to the drawing: A denotes a pointed tool of sheet steel corresponding in general form and appearance quite closely to an ordinary steel pen. A tubular portion B forms suitable shank to which may be inserted or attached a short handle C adapted for close work, or a long handle I) adapted for use while the operator is standin erect. In the former case the handle is pre erably rovided with a sphericalhead O which orms an easy hand-hold and is also con venient for pressing down the earth. after the removal of the weed, so as to heal the small s ot in the lawn. The lower end of the too tapers down to a point and is prefserves to catch the root of the weed, in pre- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Kay 20, 1909.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

Serial No. 497,249.

cisely the same way as does the barb of an ordinary fishhook, and when the toolis withdrawn the weed, root and all, as caught by this barb, is drawn straight up out of the ground. In practice the tang is best formed from the body of the curved steel forming the'point, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3, being thrust inwardly from such material, as clearly indicated. The slot F, formed by this forcing out of the tang, is continued some distance above it for the double pur ose of providing an opening into which t e weed root may slipas the tool is withdrawn, and also to prevent the lodgment of earth in the tool behind the tang. I have also illustrated in Fig. 4 a separate tang attached to the tool point in some suitable way, as by rivets G. This would make it possible to form the tang of flexible tom pered steel. or the like and the body of the tool of some other material. In practice, however, the simpler construction as shown in the other figure is preferred.

The construction shown in Fig. 1 is better adapted for large'sized implements, more especially for large weeds, such as dock and the like, and in hard soil. For this purpose it may be provided with one or more foot brackets'H, suitably attached as by a bolt I which may also serve to fasten the tool to its handle, by the aid of which the operator may force the implement into the. ground with his foot. The long. handle may of course be provided for any size of tool, thus making it convenient for the operator to stand erect while doin the work.

The operation itsel is very simple, and consists simply in thrusting the tool down near the root of the weed and withdrawing it with a slight movement forward. This brings up the weed root and all, and with the smal est possible quantity of earth, so that there is practically no disfigurement of the lawn in the rocess of weedmg.

Having t us described my invention I claim:

1. A weeder having a penlike form, provided near its point with an inwardly projecting tang adapted to catch the weedroot 1nwardly projecting tang, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A Wee er provided with a tubular shank and a curved and pointed blade, hav- 5. A weeder comprising a tapered blade, ing an inwardly projecting tang near its curved in cross section, and provided near its lower end and an adjacent upwardly extendpointed lower end with an inwardly projecting slot, substantially as and for the purpose ng tang, and a handle for said. blade.

5 set forth. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 15 4. A weeder comprising a curved and in presence of two witnesses. pointed blade provided with an inwardly CHARLES F. BILLAU. projecting tang, anda sl. ank with an' attach- Witnesses: ment to a handle, a long handle, and one or J. M. ST. JoI-IN,

/ 10 more foot brackets fastened thereto. CHARLES Es'rns. 

